Can type container changeable to type of cup or glass

ABSTRACT

A can type container, changeable to a type of cup or glass, is described and includes: a containing body having a first fastening portion formed on the upper end periphery thereof and a shape of a cone having an outer diameter gradually increased toward the lower end portion thereof; a sealing member adapted to close the lower end periphery of the containing body; a lower cap fastened to the lower end periphery of the containing body in the state where the lower end periphery of the containing body is sealed by the sealing member and having a support member inserted thereinto; and the support member having a corresponding fastening portion to the first fastening portion of the containing body formed at the center thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to the first fastening portion and a base adapted to serve as a support stand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container, and more particularly, to a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass that is configured to have a containing body, in which liquid like a beverage or drink, drink appetizers, snack, ice cream, or the like is contained, coupled reversely to a cap, so that the container can be changed to a type of cup or glass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Basically, containers are used to store contents like beverages or drinks therein. Various types of containers are proposed in accordance with the kinds of contents to be stored therein. Most containers have a body in which content, like a beverage or drink, is contained and a cap adapted to close the body. If the content stored inside the body is all consumed, the container is thrown away or recycled. A conventional recyclable container is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 1994-9921.

The conventional recyclable container typically includes a cap, a body, and a lower cover supporting the body. The body has a cutting groove formed thereon. So as to be able to drink the content stored in the container, the lower cover disposed on the lower side of the container is separated, and the body cuts. Next, the top portion of the body cut is coupled to the center portion of the separated lower cover turned over, in the state of being closed by the cap or the body itself, so that the container can be replaced with a type of cup or glass. In this case, the cut line should be formed on one side of the container, and the bottom plate of the container has to be separated from the container, thus making it hard to be utilized in practical use. Further, the inside of the bottom plate is melted with the application of heat so as to make a type of cup, thus making it very inconvenient to be put to practical use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass which is improved in structure so that the container is turned over before the content stored in the container is drunken, coupled to a cap, and finally used as a type of cup, that is, for other purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass wherein the can type container having a lift tab is varied in shape, and a cap is changed to a lower support stand, so that the container is changeable to a type of glass.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass including: a containing body having a first fastening portion formed on the upper end periphery thereof and a shape of a cone having an outer diameter gradually increased toward the lower end portion thereof; a sealing member adapted to close the lower end periphery of the containing body and having a lift tab formed thereon; a lower cap fastened to the lower end periphery of the containing body in the state where the lower end periphery of the containing body is sealed by the sealing member and having a support member inserted thereinto; and the support member having a corresponding fastening portion to the first fastening portion of the containing body formed at the center thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to the first fastening portion and a base adapted to serve as a support stand.

According to the present invention, desirably, the lower cap has a second fastening portion formed at the center of the inside thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to the corresponding fastening portion of the support member.

According to the present invention, desirably, the lower cap is removed, and the corresponding fastening portion of the support member and the first fastening portion of the containing body are coupled to each other and thus rotated by 180°, so that the can type container is changed to a type of cup or glass.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass including: a containing body containing a content therein and having a shape of a cone; a sealing member adapted to close the lower end periphery of the containing body and having a lift tab formed thereon; and a lower cap adapted to cover the lower end periphery of the containing body in the state where the lower end periphery of the containing body is sealed by the sealing member and having a corresponding fastening portion to the upper end periphery of the containing body formed at the center thereof in such a manner as to be fitted or coupled to the upper end periphery of the containing body, the lower cap being adapted to serve as a support stand.

According to the present invention, desirably, the containing body has a first fastening portion formed on the upper end periphery thereof, and the first fastening portion of the containing body and the corresponding fastening portion of the lower cap are fitted or tap-coupled to each other.

According to the present invention, desirably, the lower end periphery of the containing body and the lower cap are fastened to each other by means of one or more clamps spaced apart from each other by a given distance along the outer periphery of the lower cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view showing the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state wherein a cap is open in the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state wherein a support member disposed in the cap is converted into a support stand in the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view showing the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the state wherein a cap is open in the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state wherein a support member disposed in the cap is converted into a support stand in the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an explanation of a can type container, changeable to a type of cup or glass according to the present invention, will be given in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

A can type container, changeable to a type of cup or glass according to the present invention, may become a container in which liquid like a beverage or drink, ice cream, or solid like drink appetizers and snack is stored. The container as will be described below stores liquid like beverages or drinks therein, but even in the case where other contents are stored in the container, of course, the container has the same configuration and effects.

Further, the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass according to the present invention is opened with a lift tap.

First and second fastening protrusions, as will be described below, function as first and second fastening portions, and a fastening groove corresponding to the first and second fastening portions functions as a fastening portion coupled to the first and second fastening portions. Accordingly, the first and second fastening protrusions and the fastening grooves are generally called fastening portions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view showing the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state wherein a cap is open in the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state wherein a support member disposed in the cap is converted into a support stand in the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a can type container 10 changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, includes a containing body 11 in which liquid such as a beverage, a drink and/or the like is contained, a first fastening protrusion 11 is formed on the upper end periphery of the containing body 11, a lower cap 13 is adapted to close the lower end periphery of the containing body 11, and a support member 14 intended to function as a support stand.

The containing body 11 has a shape of a cone having a small inlet and an outer diameter gradually increased toward the lower end portion thereof, and the containing body 11 is made of a metal material. Before the container 10 is open, the containing body 11 has a shape of the cone turned over, as shown in FIG. 1.

A general can type container has a shape of a cylinder having the upper and lower portions having the same diameter as each other, but according to the present invention, because the can type container is turned over and coupled to the support member to take a shape of a glass type container, the containing body 11 has the shape of the cone turned over.

The underside of the containing body 11 is open and sealed by means of a sealing member 15, and in this state, the lower cap 13 is fastened or fitted to the underside of the containing body 11. In this case, the support member 14 is insertedly coupled to the lower cap 13.

The first fastening protrusion 12 has a tap or protrusion 12 a formed along the outer peripheral surface thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to a fastening groove 14 a of the support member 14, thus allowing the container 10 to be changed to the glass type container.

The lower cap 13 is coupled to the lower end periphery of the containing body 11 by means of a screw tap, coupling of a protrusion and a groove, or self-locking through the formation of inclined projections.

So as to insert the support member 14 used as the support stand of the containing body 11 into the lower cap 13, the lower cap 13 includes a second fastening protrusion 13 a formed at the center thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to the fastening groove 14 a of the support member 14 and a cover member 13 b extended from the second fastening protrusion 13 a.

When the can type container is changed to the cup type container, the support member 14 serves as a support stand of the cup type container, and in the state where the can type container 10 changeable to the cup or glass type container is not open, the support member 14 is inserted into the lower cap 13 and fixed thereto.

So as to maintain the fixed state of the support member 14 to the lower cap 13, at this time, the lower cap 13 has the second fastening protrusion 13 a formed at the center thereof, and the support member 14 has the fastening groove 14 a formed at the center thereof.

The support member 14 is made of a plastic or metal material and has the fastening groove 14 a and a base 14 b serving as a stand.

The coupling way between the second fastening protrusion 13 a and the fastening groove 14 a is just one example, and of course, various coupling ways such as fitting, screw tap coupling, and the like may be applied.

The sealing member 15 is bonded to the lower end periphery of the containing body 11 so as to prevent the beverages or drinks from leaking to the outside.

In this case, the sealing member 15 has a structure having a lift tab applied to metal cans (e.g., beer cans or beverage cans).

The first fastening protrusion 12 of the containing body 11 and the second fastening protrusion 13 a of the lower cap 13 have the same shape as each other, and the fastening groove 14 a of the support member 14 has the shape corresponding to the first fastening protrusion 12 and the second fastening protrusion 13 a.

To the contrary, the fastening groove 14 a of the support member 14 may be replaced with a fastening protrusion, and at this time, the first fastening protrusion 12 and the second fastening protrusion 13 a are replaced with first and second fastening grooves 12 and 13 a.

Accordingly, the first fastening protrusion 12 and the second fastening protrusion 13 a may be generally called first and second fastening portions, and the fastening groove 14 a called the corresponding fastening portion thereto, so that the corresponding fastening portion is coupled to the first and second fastening portions and in accordance with the female or male structure of the corresponding fastening portion, the first and second fastening portions have the opposite male or female fastening structure to the female or male structure of the corresponding fastening portion.

Desirably, the support member 14 has the fastening groove 14 a formed at the center of a protruded portion 14 c therefrom (e.g., see FIG. 2), and accordingly, the lower cap 13 has a depressed portion 13 c capable of accommodating the protruded portion 14 c thereinto so as to be coupled to the protruded portion 14 c and the second fastening protrusion 13 a fitted to the fastening groove 14.

Now, an explanation on the process of using the can type container according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

First, the container 10, in which a given beverage or drink is contained, is provided as shown in FIG. 1.

In this state, the container 10 is turned by 180° as shown in FIG. 3, and next, the lower cap 13 is open.

If the lower cap 13 is open, the support member 14 fixed to the lower cap 13 can be separated from the lower cap 13.

After that, the inlet side of the containing body 11, that is, the first fastening protrusion 12 is insertedly fitted to the fastening groove 14 a of the support member 14, as shown in FIG. 4, and thus, the support member 14 serves as the stand for the container 10.

Next, if the sealing member 15 is open so as to provide the beverage or drink, the container in which the beverage or drink is contained is changed to a type of cup or glass, so that a user can drink it easily.

Accordingly, the container itself can be utilized as a cup, and it can be easily portable, so that it is convenient to drink every position like inside a vehicle or indoors.

For example, the containing body 11 has a round shape, but it may have the shape of a polygon such as triangle, square, pentagon, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view showing the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the state wherein a cap is open in the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state wherein a support member disposed in the cap is converted into a support stand in the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5-8, a can type container 20 changeable to a type of cup or glass according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a containing body 21 in which liquid such as a beverages, a drink, and the like is contained, a first fastening protrusion 22 formed on the upper end periphery of the containing body 21, and a lower cap 23 adapted to close the lower end periphery of the containing body 11 and to serve as a support stand.

The can type container 20 changeable to a type of cup or glass according to the second embodiment of the present invention does not have any support member 14 provided in the first embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the function of the support member 14 provided in the first embodiment of the present invention is achieved by the lower cap 23 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower cap 23 has a fastening groove 23 a formed at the center thereof in such a manner as to insert or tap-couple the first fastening protrusion 22 thereinto or thereto.

The lower cap 23 has clamps 23 c formed at three to four positions and a thin base 23 b, so that when it is utilized as the support member, the shape of a support stand when the container 20 is changed to a type of cup or glass can be fully provided, thus achieving good outer appearance.

The containing body 21 is sealed on the lower end periphery thereof by a sealing member 25 openable by a structure of a lift tap and has a clamp fastening protrusion 21 a protruded outwardly from the outer periphery of the lowermost end portion thereof. Accordingly, the clamps 23 c of the lower cap 23 are fastened to the clamp fastening protrusion 21 a. The clamps 23 c have elasticity with which left and right sides thereof around the fixed portion thereto are somewhat bent, so that they can be fastened or unfastened to/from the clamp fastening protrusion 21 a by means of self-locking.

As mentioned above, the can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass according to the embodiments of the present invention is improved in structure so that the container is turned over before the content is drunken, coupled to the support member, and finally used as a type of cup, thus expecting many conveniences while being used.

Further, the can type container can be changed and used to a type of cup or glass through the support member, thus improving many conveniences while being used outdoors, being usable inside a vehicle or train during travel, and being easily portable and usable in a travelling place, a sports stadium, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, comprising: a containing body having a first fastening portion formed on the upper end periphery thereof and a shape of a cone having an outer diameter gradually increased toward the lower end portion thereof; a sealing member adapted to close the lower end periphery of the containing body; a lower cap fastened to the lower end periphery of the containing body in the state where the lower end periphery of the containing body is sealed by the sealing member and having a support member inserted thereinto; and the support member having a corresponding fastening portion to the first fastening portion of the containing body formed at the center thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to the first fastening portion and a base adapted to serve as a support stand.
 2. The can type container according to claim 1, wherein the lower cap has a second fastening portion formed at the center of the inside thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to the corresponding fastening portion of the support member.
 3. The can type container according to claim 1, wherein the lower cap is removed, and the corresponding fastening portion of the support member and the first fastening portion of the containing body are coupled to each other and thus rotated by 180°, so that the can type container is changed to a type of cup or glass.
 4. The can type container according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is formed a lift tab type.
 5. A can type container changeable to a type of cup or glass, comprising: a containing body containing a content therein and having a shape of a cone; a sealing member adapted to close the lower end periphery of the containing body; and a lower cap adapted to cover the lower end periphery of the containing body in the state where the lower end periphery of the containing body is sealed by the sealing member and having a corresponding fastening portion to the upper end periphery of the containing body formed at the center thereof in such a manner as to be fitted or coupled to the upper end periphery, the lower cap being adapted to serve as a support stand.
 6. The can type container according to claim 5, wherein the containing body has a first fastening portion formed on the upper end periphery thereof, and the first fastening portion of the containing body and the corresponding fastening portion of the lower cap are fitted or tap-coupled to each other.
 7. The can type container according to claim 5, wherein the lower end periphery of the containing body and the lower cap are fastened to each other by means of one or more clamps spaced apart from each other by a given distance along the outer periphery of the lower cap.
 8. The can type container according to claim 5, wherein the sealing member is formed a lift tab type. 